Really disappointed and frustrated with dealer service.

I just bought a 2015 TRD OR, 2/1, love the new truck, till I installed my ARE CX series cap. The truck bottoms out on bumps and frost heaves, typical I guess. So I installed my set of ride rite air bags from previous truck to solve the bottoming out issue, and the truck bounces down the road like a basket ball. Oh well, I take truck into local spring and chassis shop and have an extra leaf installed to beef up the back of the truck, and they inform me that my right rear shock is leaking. I say its ok, it only has 2000 miles on it and I will take it in to the dealer under warrantee. So I take it in and wait in the lounge and 5 minutes later service writer comes in and says my truck is ready. Hmm. He says the shock is fine no leaks and because I have a cap and extra leaf the truck will ride different than stock, no shit Sherlock!! And it's not a heavy duty truck, only meant for a load. The cap only weighs 150 pounds. I ask if they would remove shock and check for rebound and they say no because they won't be reimbursed from Toyota. So I stew for a few days and call back to have them look at it again, and I would pay if the shock wasn't defective. So I make the appointment and drive an hour and a half to the dealer, only to have them say they won't look at it, and it won't be covered even if it is defective because of the extra leaf. The right rear of the truck still bounces like a basketball. I called the next closest dealer and they said they would be happy to look at it, and thoroughly inspect the shock!! This is my 6th tacoma and have driven Toyotas for 25 years so I know how they are supposed to drive and ride!!

 

I bet the reason that dealer gave you shit is because you installed an AAL. Some dealers will flat out be asses if you have tampered with suspension and claim it voids warranty, other dealers won't. Guess it's hit or miss. Is there a TSB for leaf springs for the new Tacoma's?

 

Now you know to never go to that dealer again for service.

 

So you now know where to buy from and where not to buy from.

 

all 6 lug tacomas regardless of package made after october 2013 all have the 3+1 leaf packs in the rear.

Sucks that dealers are assholes like that. That shock should be warranted, but as you have found out any thing they can point on not replacing it they will do just that.

 

When I complained to the general manager he said they treat everyone the same no matter where the truck was bought, but asked why I didn't buy the truck from them. My response was I tried but the sales lady didn't want to take the time to walk to the service dept to look at my 2013 dbl cab sr5 and give me a price for trade and new truck, told me to come back in 6-8 months and maybe I could trade my lease in for another tacoma. So I went to another dealer 2 hours other direction and traded for this trd or dbl cab 4wd. And my lease went up $25 and all I had to pay was 1st payment. He didn't want to talk any more and said service manager would get back to me. I gave them 3 strikes and now I will either take it another or replace them with 5100's. This dealer's service was great until the last service writer left 6 months ago, been down hill every since. Oh well lesson learned. I love Tacoma's but this one was jinxed from day one. Had a flat on the way home an hour after purchase. Truck HAD locking lugs and spare tire lock and couldn't keep the lock engaged in the spare hoist. Had to call roadside assistance for help and their remedy was to tow it back to dealer 2 hrs from home. My big question was how do I then get home, reply was to have someone pick me up, not happening. So I pay a flatbed $188 to get my $35k brand new truck home day one, and the wonderful rugged fail tires was ruined in the process. Made me really tempted to bring it back to dealer next day and get my old truck back. Maddest I have ever been!! Then dealer fucked up registration and argued that they didn't till I proved it by calling dmv. But I still really love this truck in spite of the drama.

 

So, you're leasing this truck?

 

Wow. They suck, I guess.

I was out of breath reading that to myself

 

Yes, I may buy it out, unless the next generation knocks my socks off. It still needs to be useful for the time I have it.

 

I would say your dealership has yanked your chain for too long. I'd call toyota corporate at least.

 

Unfortunately there are many terrible dealers and only a few great ones out there.

 

x2 on this, you dont have the factory equipment/you tampered with the OE equipment on a new vehicle thats under warranty, that's why you're SOL. And it wouldn't surprise me either if the new AAL caused your shock to go bad because you probably need extended length shocks to run with the bigger leaf pack. Bottom line, if you needed an AAL or stiffer suspension in the rear, Toyota should have taken care of it / found a remedy. Plus, if the service manager approves an aftermarket AAL and the dealer installs it, you've covered your ass for anything like this happening. Sure, it may cost more, but you wouldn't be stuck with this aggrivation.

 

Sorry Dean(eds7374)!I'd let Toyota corporate know about this.It wouldn't hurt and it may give you a breath of fresh air in regards to what your going through/dealing with!

 

Why are you modding a lease?

 

X2 on this lol

 

X3. you modded. Buy a new shock or play dealership lottery. what's your time worth?

 

Not modding, just making the truck useable for my needs. The extra leaf didn't add lift just strengthened the existing leaves. There are countless threads about owners who have Tacoma's with caps that have to do something to strengthen the rear suspension. I like leasing and it works for me. And it's my truck till I give it back. I always end up trading in because I end up with equity at the end of the lease.

 

I don't have a problem buying new shocks, but I would like to believe that when you purchase a quality truck, they should stand behind defective parts. How many people have added an extra leaf and still have factory shocks? Lots? At this point it's more principle than anything!!

 

Not to go to far off topic, I have never had to adjust my suspension to accommodate a cap. I carry more luggage then that on a long trip. I suspect you had an unknown issue prior to the cap install. That said, the service dept. should have handled the issue in a much more accommodating manner.

 

Won't do anything. Toyota's cookie cutter answer is that the dealership is their representatives and that the dealer is always right. That's one less vehicle that will tarnish their false reputation.